Yes, I know I’m slow. Just can’t seem to get in gear, too much to do and not enough energy.

Today’s post will be the reveal of the panel challenges. The challenge was that everyone supplied a pre-printed panel, pillow size, wallhanging, etc….. Then envelopes containing clues joined the panels as they were prepared for the round robin. When a participant received a panel package, they would open an envelope and add their part to the project. Some of the clues consisted of: four patch, stars, holiday, embellish, block of choice, wild card and even a chance to skip that month or draw again. Those are only a few of the clues. The part of the challenge that took the pressure off, was that you didn’t have to do all four sides of a panel and the clues were only suggestions and could be loosely interpreted, for which I am thankful and will elaborate later. As always, you can click on the picture to embiggen and it will open in a new window.

The first panel I received was Cindy’s, and it was a pretty panel but very dark, so I did 9 patches in the corners and lighter fabric along top and sides.

Cindy’s Panel

I’ve lost my list, but I’m trying to remember the order in which I received the panels. I know that Jan’s came next. Jan’s came early in the challenge when I was having a patch of health problems and I could only muster up 9 patches again. Originally, I had planned to do them down the side and across the bottom, but such is the way of best laid plans. Looking back on Jan’s panel after going through the rounds, I like the blocks on just one side.

Jan’s Panel

I think Pam’s came next. On Pam’s I drew the clue, ” piping or flange” . When I received the quilt a flange wouldn’t have worked because it would have covered up the points of the previously added blocks. So I opened up the seams around the panel and added a blue flange.

Pam’s Panel

Next was Marilyn’s. When I received the panel it had a lot going on and needed a calm spot, so I added a border of various green squares. Now this is where the ability to intrepet the clue in your own way came in handy. On Jan’s and Marilyn’s panels I drew the clue “Holiday”, so given that their panels were Christmas panels, anything I added would fit the clue.

Marilyn’s Panel

About this time the docs figured out what my problem was, and with the new meds I started feeling better, the concentration improved and the old muse even returned. When Cathy’s panel arrived I stared at it for a long time, my clue was “block of choice”. The fabrics were bright, and again there was a lot going on. As I stared at the fabric I kept seeing little swirls and dots in the print of the panel, so I decided to put dots in the border. The red background of the border drew out the red/oranges in the panel and calmed it down a bit, then I added the reverse applique circles in a waving vs straight line. The fabrics for the circles all have dots or swirls on them.

Cathy’s Panel

For Colleen’s panel I drew the clue “feathers”. After looking at the work on the panel so far, I knew it had to be applique across the bottom. So I decided to do roosters, but needed something else to make it work. Then I discovered the perfect fabric in the ones Colleen sent along with the panel (Oh, I forgot to tell you that we could send up to the equivalent of 2 yds fabric with the panel). Anyway, the fabric I discovered was a basketweave print in yellows and golds, which when turned in a 45º direction looks like ears of corn.

Colleen’s Panel

Then came Carol Ann’s panel. When I opened the package and put the panel on the design wall, I thought “This is finished, what am I going to do?” Then when I opened my clue, it was “4 patch”. Here is where the loose interpretation of the clue came in handy again. The panel itself, the buffalo strip, the arrowhead, and the feather strip are each a patch, there’s your 4 patch.

Carol Ann’s Panel

Jean’s panel was the last one I received. When I opened up the panel, to me the center panel was lost in all of the reds and light areas. At the top and bottom of the panel were blank light areas that were ripe for applique. I decided to do the little cabin on top and the bear below. I started in trying to applique directly on to this large project and quickly discovered that it wasn’t going to work. After trying to figure out a way to accomplish the stitching on such a large piece, I finally came to the conclusion that I would have to remove those blank strips, do the applique, and then sew the strips back in.

Jean’s Panel

Finally, after many months, I got to see my finished panel and I am so happy with the way it turned out. The fan on the left side has lines drawn for the fan panels, and I will do some type of embroidery to make them stand out. I love the bamboo strip that Jean did to the right of the panel, from a distance it looks like part of the print.

Like this:

I had a great time at retreat over the weekend, it was so good to see everyone and I actually accomplished a lot, but I’m not bouncing back very fast. Arrived back home Sunday afternoon and finally finished unpacking the car yesterday. Without going into the boring details, there has been a lot of sleeping and the taking of pain meds for the past few days.

The retreat photos have been uploaded to the computer and just need to be edited before I can post them. All of the panel challenges turned out fantastic.

I do have pics of a couple of projects finished last week. First of all there are two Dear Jane blocks,

Dear Jane blocks G3 and K7

then there is the needlebook that I made for a Bunco prize. The needlebook design is my own, but the embroidery pattern is one that I saw made up somewhere, and did a hasty drawing in the sketchbook I’m never without.

Wool needlebook, won by Jean

The needlebook was won by Jean. I won a collection of fat quarters and a pincushion pie.

That’s all for now, Bill is having foot surgery in the morning and we have to be there before the sun comes up.

Like this:

This won’t be a long post, I just want to check in and let everyone know I’m still around.

I have finished my work on the last part of the panel challenge. We will reveal the finished quilt tops at Skrappy Ladies Fall Retreat, this weekend. So expect lots of pics next week. Actually retreat falls at a great time this fall, it starts on Friday, which is my birthday. What a great birthday present, a weekend of quilting with my friends.

Two more Dear Jane blocks were finished, but the pics are still in the camera. Also have frogged back the North Star scarf. I made it almost through the first repeat, but for me, the pattern is one that has to have my full attention, that means no evening TV watching, which is when I knit. So I have started the Sivilla shawl pattern that I found on Ravelry. The pattern is interesting but easy enough to follow while I watch TV.

There are three books sitting on the end table next to my chair, An Echo in the Bone,The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë , and The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken. Am I the only person that reads more than one book at a time? Which book I read depends on my mood. I have really been enjoying The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken, reading about her quest for family and the recipe that started it all. Then just a few minutes ago the UPS guy dropped off a package, a birthday present from my daughter, a pasta machine. Thank you Kerry. Now while Bill is recovering from his foot surgery in the coming weeks, I will play in the kitchen, and try making fresh pasta and ravioli.